Toyota Center Unveils a Hidden New Plush Lounge for Platinum Seat Holders

The Toyota Center suddenly has a dash of old school Hollywood glamour. The home arena of the Houston Rockets opened the doors of its exclusive, unexpected new spot, The Bogart’s Lounge, during Thursday night’s romp over the Golden State Warriors.

You could say it’s dressed to impress.

The floor-level lounge — tucked away in a tunnel — is all about Humphrey Bogart, boasting liquors exclusively from ROK Drink’s Bogart Spirits, lined with black-and-white portraits of the iconic actor and graced with his classic quotes.

Fans are used to swilling beers in the stands at Rockets games. But what about slowly sipping on an old fashioned French 75 or real gin martini?

The Bogart’s Lounge is an escape from the Toyota Center’s hustle and bustle, all food stands and fluorescent lights. It’s a more relaxed ambience, reflective of its suave namesake. Something of a stadium speakeasy a stone’s throw from the court.

But there are undeniable reminders of the arena atmosphere — with a twist. Lucky guests will also be able to spot two separate bright, lively, abstract portraits of James Harden.

Platinum level ticket holders can enjoy The Bogart’s Lounge during all Rockets games and select concerts. They can cozy up on the plush gray couches and chairs sprinkled throughout the sprawling space in intimate nooks and crannies. It’s fitted with Maltese Falcons here and there, of course.

And this is one plush lounge you don’t necessarily have to dress up for — whether nattily decked out in workday attire or coming straight from happy hour in red zip Run as One fleeces, you’ll be welcomed. The new Bogart’s Lounge stays open from the start of the game till one hour after the final buzzer.

Iconic Reverence

The lounge, perfectly fit for a halftime hangout, is serious about the original Rat Pack leader and Academy Award winner. “We’re partnered with the Humphrey Bogart estate,” ROK Drinks CEO Alison Kennedy tells PaperCity.

And the ethos is one Bogart would be proud of. As Bogart said himself — and as it reads on the lounge wall — “Do everything. One thing may turn out right.”

“If he was ever going to be somebody to make alcohol, this is how he would do it,” Kennedy says. Of course, Humphrey Bogart is not around to disagree. But the artisanal craft distillery does handcraft every batch in Jackson, California.

Every spirit and cocktail was designed with Bogart in mind. “He loved a real gin martini, and he loved whiskey. He loved a good old fashioned, any of those old straight-up cocktails,” Kennedy notes.

The curated cocktail menu features classics like the true-to-form Bogart’s Old Fashioned and sparkling French 75, alongside some inspired boozy beverages. Think Bogie’s Gin and Juice with grenadine and tropical passion fruit syrup and the Usual Irish Suspects, a take on a mule with Irish whiskey, fresh lime juice and ginger beer.

“The problem with the world is that everyone is a few drinks behind,” one Bogart quote reads. Keep up if you can.

The cocktails can be enjoyed from the soft seats, at the bar or in the casual spill over space — and even in the stands, up until the start of the fourth quarter.

Would Bogart have been a Rockets fan?

“Basketball was not the same way it is now, but I think he would definitely be on board with it. He definitely loved spots. He would probably love basketball,” Kennedy laughs.

She’s clear on that — there’s more to Bogart than meets the eye. “We wanted to have a big flavor of him. When you come here, you get to experience him. He’s so much more multi-dimensional than being just an actor,” Kennedy says. And The Bogart’s Lounge is the same way.

Here’s looking at you, kid — and Harden.